Food, Drink & Hospitality UK-wide

Running a package travel business

How to comply with ATOL licensing and Package Travel Regulations 2018 when selling package holidays. Covers ATOL application, ATOL Protection Contributions, consumer cancellation rights, and complaints handling.

Guide summary

Check if you need an ATOL licence if you sell air package holidays or flights to UK consumers. Apply to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at least 12 weeks before you start. Pay £2.50 per passenger to the Air Travel Trust and meet financial requirements, including a bond if you are a new applicant.

  • Apply for ATOL licence from the CAA at least 12 weeks before selling
  • Pay £2.50 ATOL Protection Contribution per passenger
  • New applicants must provide a £50,000 bond, reducing over 4 years
  • Keep minimum £30,000 paid-up capital for limited companies
  • Submit reports monthly (turnover £5m+) or quarterly (under £5m)
  • Complete the free Accountable Person training course for one director
  • Follow Package Travel Regulations 2018 for all packages, even without flights
  • Selling without a licence is a criminal offence
On this page

Related guides in Consumer Rights

If you sell air package holidays or flights to UK consumers, you likely need an ATOL licence from the Civil Aviation Authority. If you sell package travel (even without flights), the Package Travel Regulations 2018 apply.

Selling ATOL-licensable travel without a licence is a criminal offence. Consumers also have strong cancellation rights under the Package Travel Regulations.

Understanding ATOL licensing

Do you need an ATOL?

Yes, if you:

  • Sell flights as part of a package holiday
  • Act as a tour operator selling air packages
  • Sell flight accommodation (seat-only sales in some cases)

You may not need ATOL if:

  • You only sell packages without flights
  • You act purely as an agent for an ATOL holder
  • Your packages use surface transport only (coach, rail)

Standard ATOL requirements

Most established travel businesses apply for a Standard ATOL.

How ATOL protection is funded

Consumer protection under ATOL is funded primarily through the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) of £2.50 per licensable passenger, paid into the Air Travel Trust. Blanket bonding is no longer the standard model.

New applicants must normally provide a bond of £50,000, reducing over the first 4 years of trading (£50,000, £40,000, £30,000, then £20,000) provided the business performs satisfactorily. The CAA can also require additional security from individual ATOL holders on a case-by-case basis following its financial assessment.

Small Business ATOL

For smaller operators starting out in the travel industry.

Is Small Business ATOL right for you?

Advantages:

  • Lower application fee (see requirements above)
  • Annual APC payments instead of monthly/quarterly
  • Simpler application process

Restrictions:

  • Passenger and revenue limits apply for minimum 3 years (see above)
  • Cannot upgrade to Standard ATOL within 3 years

ATOL reporting requirements

Regular reporting is required to maintain your licence.

Accountable Person training

Every ATOL holder needs a trained Accountable Person.

Package Travel Regulations 2018

These regulations apply to all package travel, not just air packages.

What counts as a package?

A package combines at least 2 of these travel services:

  1. Transport
  2. Accommodation
  3. Vehicle hire
  4. Other tourist service forming a significant proportion of the combined value (BEIS guidance treats 25%+ as a rule-of-thumb indicator, not a fixed legal threshold)

A combination may be a package through a single contract, single point of sale, inclusive price or 'package' branding. The 24-hour condition applies only to the linked online booking route.

Consumer cancellation rights

Consumers have strong cancellation rights under PTR 2018.

Setting cancellation fees

Your cancellation fees must be:

  • Reasonable and reflect your actual losses
  • Justifiable if challenged
  • Clear in your terms and conditions

Most operators use a tiered structure with increasing fees as departure approaches. Your fee structure should reflect your actual costs and liabilities at each stage.

Handling complaints

You need clear processes for handling customer complaints.

ABTA and AITO membership

Membership provides access to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and can build customer confidence.

Note: Using ABTA arbitration means customers cannot later take you to court on the same issue.